http://gainesvilleprobate.com serving all of north central florida! Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:09:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We've released a Florida Probate ebook:  "Understanding the Florida Probate Process" which is available for download NOW at our sister site: WeProbateFlorida.com Check it out!  Click here to download the Florida Probate ebook. Share This http://gainesvilleprobate.com/florida-probate-ebook-available-for-free-download/ We handle probate matters in all of Alachua County. Yes, many people know Gainesville is the Alachua County seat, but this post is to help future clients find our site. Alachua County is made up of the following cities: Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, La Crosse, Micanopy, Newberry (Jonesville) and ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/alachua-county-probate/ On our sister site, WeProbateFlorida.com, I discuss how to choose a Florida Probate attorney (and no, we're not just tootin our own horn). The highlights include the concept of lawyer shopping (by price alone), efficient communication with the attorney and the fact that you are NOT required to use the attorney ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/picking-a-florida-probate-attorney/ Of the many initial questions I ask a prospective client is whether or not they anticipate a Medicaid claim against the estate. Here's a brief primer on "Florida Medicaid Estate Recovery": Florida Medicaid Estate Recovery Program The Medicaid Estate Recovery Program is a federal-state program designed to recover some or all ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/whats-the-deal-with-medicaid-claims/ DADE CITY -- Sheila Morgan led a hard, but straight, life before she landed in jail in March. That’s when authorities say she stole a court seal and forged a judge’s signature to speed up the paperwork on a $15,000 inheritance. She had never been arrested in Florida before. Details of ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/how-not-to-expedite-probate-in-florida/ (source: Florida Bar Consumer Information) WHAT IS A WILL? A will is a written direction controlling the disposition of property at death. The laws of each state set the formal requirements for a legal will. In Florida; 1. You, the maker of the will (called the testator), must be at least 18 years ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/do-i-need-a-will/ Florida homestead is generally protected from the claims of creditors, even after death.  It's quite typical for clients to call me and tell me "all that mom left behind was some real estate."  My first question is always:  "Was it her homestead?  Her principal place of residence or domicle?" If yes, ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/decedent-only-left-florida-homstead-summary-admnistration-is-available/ Doris from New York wanted to know generally how long probate takes and specifically had a question about the creditor period which is required in certain Florida probate administrations: "Quick" Question "What is the creditor period and why do we need to publish a Notice to Creditors?" Share This http://gainesvilleprobate.com/quick-qa-what-is-the-creditor-period-and-why-do-we-need-to-publish-a-notice-to-creditors/ The majority of the probates we handle are uncontested. I, personally spend an inordinate amount of time explaining to my clients that the more they fight over an estate, the more I make or the more some other attorney makes. Interestingly enough, I'm not interested in taking on more work ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/uncontested-florida-probate-your-best-bet/ So begins our series of classic "Quick" Questions which we field on a daily basis ("we" means our principal attorney, Long H. Duong in most cases): Enjoy! "Quick" Question "Mom died without a Will, but she really wanted me to have the house. My rotten siblings never took care of her and ... http://gainesvilleprobate.com/mom-died-without-a-will-but-she-really-wanted-me-to-have-the-house/